In vitro conservation of Piper aduncum and Piper hispidinervum under slow-growth conditions

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate in vitro storage of Piper aduncum and P. hispidinervum under slow-growth conditions. Shoots were stored at low temperatures (10, 20 and 25°C), and the culture medium was supplemented with osmotic agents (sucrose and mannitol – at 1, 2 and 3%) and abiscisic acid – ABA (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg L^-1). After six-months of storage, shoots were evaluated for survival and regrowth. Low temperature at 20°C was effective for the in vitro conservation of P. aduncum and P. hispidinervum shoots. In vitro cultures maintained at 20°C on MS medium showed 100% survival with slow-growth shoots. The presence of mannitol or ABA, in the culture medium, negatively affected shoot growth, which is evidenced by the low rate of recovered shoots.